The Texas Stars of Hope – Galveston, TX

ESRA Special Needs Springers

In late November 2010, Austin County Texas Sheriff's Department issued an arrest warrant for a person who had 35 dogs and two cats living at a deteriorated breeding farm. All of the animals were suffering from unimaginable neglect. They lived in barbed-wire cages in deplorable conditions amongst urine-soaked mounds of feces and exposure to the elements. The property owner responsible for this severe abuse was arrested and subsequently charged with cruelty to animals and animal abuse. Working in conjunction with the Houston SPCA, the Sheriff's Department transported these neglected dogs to Houston. The Houston SPCA took in all the animals, evaluated them and began the vetting process.

Nine of the dogs were English Springer Spaniels so the Houston SPCA contacted ESRA and we have welcomed these dogs into our care. We are calling these dogs our “Texas Stars of Hope” and are committed to finding them loving and safe homes after they have been carefully rehabilitated.

ESRA is grateful to be partnering with the dedicated doctors and staff members of Galveston Veterinary Clinic who have taken control of the dogs' medical care. These dogs suffer from a multitude of chronic ailments such as heartworm diseases, skin, eye and ear infections and other ailments related to their severe neglect, malnourishment and abuse. The doctors have created a medical plan specifically designed for each of the dogs and have beautifully executed their treatment plan over the past month. The meticulous care and loving attention provided by the veterinarians and their staff have resulted in the dogs already showing signs of medical improvement and trust — we even see some tentative tail wags.

Our “Stars of Hope” in the News

Now back to ESRA's name for these special needs dogs — did you catch the clues with the dogs' given names? Not only do they come from the Lone Star State, but they each carry the name of a Hollywood icon — Clooney should have been a dead giveaway! Their story has generated a lot of news coverage as well so they are indeed real "stars" in their own right.

Our stars — all except Martin and Bridges — also have their own brief YouTube videos that were filmed when they first arrived at Galveston Veterinary Clinic.

Now that you have met our nine special needs Springers, we know you will understand why ESRA is committed to seeing them arrive at "the good life" so many Springers enjoy. With financial help from those who are touched by the plight of these dogs and the professional care they are receiving from GVC, we look forward to nine more success stories. These dogs are worthy of our efforts.

1/26/11 UPDATE: Just over one month since this group of nine Springers entered ESRA's Special Needs program, each star is really beginning to shine! They are thriving with proper nutrition and their ability to trust is growing due to loving interactions with caring people! They do not have any lasting medical conditions but the chance to have brought them this far along is still costly. We really appreciate the donors who have helped us to get the spirits of these Springers to soar!

Contact: Nancy Remmers at rescuespringer@gmail.com if you want to hear more about the Texas Stars of Hope.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE TEXAS STARS OF HOPE

THE TEXAS STARS OF HOPE’S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Ray and Monica Smith Hope to see all our STARS shining brightly soon.
Patti and Mike Adkins A better life ahead - Mr. Riley!
John and Becky May To help with Galveston Vet Clinic boarding fees
Laura LaFranier A gift for my dad's January birthday. Thank you for being loving servants of God's creatures in need!
Pennie Sarver In memory of Sam
Bryce Dunscomb In memory of Brownie
Mary and Tom Viehoefer In honor of my Dad, who introduced me to Springers so long ago.
Parker Harris In memory of Shanti. Doc and his humans send love and support to all these beautiful dogs. Doc knows ESRA will find them happy homes just like ESRA did for him.
Randy and Mary Kertzman In memory of Jake
Alisa M. Runyan In memory of Scooter, our loving baby boy whom we will always miss
Leslie Barclay In memory of my Sheltie Sarah who was a sister to many foster Springers as well as her two adopted Springer brothers
Carolyn Molloy A gift for Colleen Gerth in memory of Oscar Gerth
Charlie and Bonnie Elliott In memory of Buster and Gina
Lesley Blyth For the love of Springers
Diane Sorenson In honor of Riley's adoption in Texas
Timothy Brinson
James Rice To honor Nancy Remmers, ESRA Case Worker-Galveston, and her work to get the Stars of Texas adopted!
Lesley Blyth In memory of Syd, Pen-Dawg and all the dogs we loved. Thanks for all you do!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL SPECIAL NEEDS SPRINGERS